A (mostly) chronological exploration of international film history. Each episode is a deep dive into the history of the people, events, technologies, cultural forces, and most all the movies that have molded cinema into what it is today! Join host Jacob Aschieris and other listeners for an in depth, thoughtful listening experience, and learn why no story ever written for the screen is as dramatic as the story of the screen itself!
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
A New Translation of a Master Filmmaker: Dr. Anne McKnight on Long Take
An interview with Japanese media scholar Anne McNight about her new book Long Take. Long Take is a collection of interviews and other material by or about Akira Kurosawa,
Mar 27 50 min
37- Abel Gance, and the Prelude to the Post-War
An episode about Gance, covering his life and movies from birth to just before of the release of his monumental film J'accuse.
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Feb 26 24 min
36- Women's Pictures, Staring Women, that Women Were Watching
An episode all about proper (or not explicitly patriotic) melodrama as it was developing in France during the war. Who were these movies made for? What were they about? W
Jul 25 2025 31 min
35- French Patriotic Melodrama
This episode is a little smaller in scope than usual. But like one my great podcasting heroes, my ambition for this show is to tell the history of film without any gaps.
Dec 15 2024 31 min
34- American Invasion, Sessue Hayakawa, and "The Cheat"
In this episode we cover just how, exactly, American cinema came to dominate Europe in the wake of WW1. We take a look at the economic practices that facilitated the "inv
Nov 18 2024 56 min
33- War on Film, Film at War
This week we cover the effect of The War on the French film Industry. While The Conflict's Titanic needs did a real number on French production, it did also help dev
Nov 3 2024 22 min
32- Foundation of Death, Foundation of Light
This episode reexamines some topics we have already looked at, but this time as context for one of history's greatest butcheries, rather than as pure film history. T
Feb 16 2024 25 min
Announcement – Plans and Reasons
The History of Film Podcast has been on Haitus since May of 2022. This announcement officially ends that. Let's get back to it!
If you have any ideas on how I can i
Aug 11 2023 4 min
31- Gertie: The First Animated Character
In this episode we finish up our series on early animation by covering Gertie the Dinosaur and The Sinking of the Lusitania, both animated by Winsor McCay. Next time it&a
May 15 2022 31 min
30- Animation Before the Dinosaur
This is the first of two episodes (only two, I promise) about the great animator Winsor McCay. We cover his life before he became a filmmaker, and his two first movies: L
Feb 27 2022 26 min
29- Phantasmagoria
It's a new year, and the History of Film is back! In this episode, we cover the life and achievements of French animator Emile Cohl, as he creates the first paper fi
Jan 19 2022 24 min
28- Drawings That Can Dance
The long promised day is finally here! We dive into the world of animation, examine ancient Iranian pottery, and meet animators named Charles-Emile Reynaud and James Stew
Nov 25 2021 32 min
27- The Fall of Babylon, The Fall of Griffith
In this episode we take a look at Griffith's second most famous movie, Intolerance, and examine its production, structure, and impact. We also (finally) finish the l
Nov 6 2021 34 min
26- The Birth of a Nation: Part III
This is the last of it. In this episode, we dig into how and why The Birth of a Nation was so influential, and who was influenced by it. I am happy to say that next week
Oct 27 2021 55 min
25- The Birth of a Nation: Part II
When I write these, I never know just how long they will be. As it turns out, talking about a film that has had a huge impact on the development of film history, and made
Sep 29 2021 33 min
24- The Birth of a Nation: Part I
Well, where it is. The Birth of a Nation is an extremely important movie. It would be hard to overstate it. In this episode, we cover the original novel the film was base
Sep 23 2021 26 min
Bonus: Film as Cultural Artifacts
This is the first of (hopefully) a recurring series of episodes on film critical theory. Today, with special guest Melissa Favara, we cover the idea of cultural productio
Sep 6 2021 15 min
23- D. W. Griffith
Here it is! Its an episode and a subject that has been a long time coming, and it's one that is less important then people used to think, though perhaps a little mor
Sep 5 2021 33 min
22- Italian Futurism and Everything Else
Hello and welcome back! This is everything about early Italian films that we didn’t cover in the last two episodes. That means we talk a little about how Italian studios
Aug 26 2021 42 min
Announcement: Updates on "The History of Film" Going Forward
A few words on exciting changes that are coming to "The History of film in very near future.
historyoffilmpodcast@gmail.com
historyoffilmpodcast.com
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Aug 3 2021 3 min
Chart trend
Position in the Film History chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#99#196JulAugSepOct
#28
all-time peak
36
days in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where The History of Film ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 18, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Someone said “Such a Gift.” I couldn’t agree more! This has so much information, intentionality, and insight into the 20th century’s greatest art form. What I appreciate most; the deep research, personal opinions, and story telling of a rich history of technical, business, and art. My appreciation is the wide scope of cinema (not all Hollywood centric) and the interwoven extra information at the end that just “didn’t fit.” Jacob brings a personal touch and it is clear he is such a fan of the cinema. This is one of my favorites and I highly recommend to all that love the cinema and want to learn about the rich history of a collaborative art and business form.
Disapoont2 · Sep 2026
I am a professional actor, filmmaker, and university professor, whose formal education never included film history. I am just seven episodes in and this podcast is already filling in the gaps in my knowledge and inspiring new ways to educate my students. It is a clean, no fluff, easy to understand history told in a thoughtful, personal, and inclusive way. I am excited for my learning journey ahead! Thank you!
Dr. SMS 1986 · Jun 2026
I decided one day to watch all the greatest movies from around the world, starting at the beginning. But how to do it? What film techniques are being developed or perfected? How did society receive the movies when they first appeared on the screen? This podcast has been the perfect companion on my film journey. Not only does it help me understand early film, but it also exemplifies how podcasts should be done. I love how the episodes are written and produced. I can really tell how much care goes into it, and I really appreciate it. I look forward to many more episodes!
AdgieD · Dec 2024
A fantastically interesting and informative podcast about the early history of film. The host is well informed, humble, and relaxing to listen to.
Aeronius · Mar 2023
We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of The History of Film, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
